Tempo Timor - In Timor-Leste many children continue to face violence and other degrading forms of punishment from teachers in schools, despite the Ministry of Education’s so-called zero tolerance against corporal punishment policy.

Children have the rightto learn in a physically and emotionally safe environment that is conducive to learning. However, evaluations by the Child Rights Commission have found that children in Timorese schools are beaten with rulers, sticks, hands and forced to kneel or fetch water for infractions such as coming late to class or not doing their homework.

Staff of ChildFund have observed children being forced to kneel in the hot midday sun for more than 30 minutes for coming late to school. Another young boy was forced to balance on one leg, with one arm in the air while reading from a book. His crime was missing a day of school.

These forms of violence, which can be physical or psychological, can prevent children from learning and staying in school. Evidence shows that corporal punishment by educators increases dropout rates and perpetuates a cycle of violence.

ChildFund Timor-Leste is committed to contributing to a world where every child is free from violence and exploitation. The international NGO supports children in exercising their rights and work to create environments where children can not only participate as advocates against violence but also lead efforts.

In Maliana, ChildFund’s Children Against Violence program has prioritized the push for a stronger legal framework prohibiting violence against children in schools, as well as community-based awareness activities. Students have created their own advocacy groups, which have conducted research on violence against children; group members have used this research to advocate for a national policy forbidding corporal punishment in school. A cadre of young advocates has grown out of the groups, and they promote the protection of children’s rights, as well as the education of teachers and parents about positive discipline practices.

Students, parents and teachers need to work together to tackle all types of violence in schools, and one essential step is to provide support to children so they can raise their voices about this issue and make schools truly safe.